We are often blind to our own environment because of our assumptions, framed by media, insular thinking and our own prejudices. Smart City Consulting's blog – named one of the most intriguing in the U.S. by Pew Partnership for Civic Change – hopes to show how Memphis really is and could be through alternative questions, fresh approaches and new ideas. We hope to open your eyes - and your ears - to a new way of thinking about Memphis. Send ideas and emails to tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.

Friday, March 14, 2008

This Week On Smart City: What's Old Is New Again

Stories of cities and the changes they endure over time always have something to teach us. Our guests this week are at the forefront of change in two American cities in two great neighborhoods.

Bob Eury has for 23 years served as president of Central Houston, leading the redevelopment of the city's downtown. This week he'll share the changes taking place there and tell us about a major new park about to open downtown, Discovery Green.

Sean Thomas is guiding the transition of Old North St. Louis, an urban village just 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis. It's conversion from a dying neighborhood with a decaying pedestrian mall at its center to a vibrant community is a story he'll share this week on Smart City.

Smart City is a syndicated, weekly hour-long public radio talk show that takes an in-depth look at urban life: the people, places, ideas and trends that affect us all. Host Carol Coletta talks with national and international public policy experts, economists, business leaders, artists, developers, planners and others on the pulse of city life for a penetrating discussion on urban issues.

Smart City is broadcast at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sundays on WKNO-FM, but it is also webcast and podcast. For the webcast, times for the broadcast in other cities and to sign up for the podcast, visit the website.

Note: We've received numerous emails asking about the change in the broadcast time of Smart City in Memphis. We're extremely grateful to WKNO-FM for their instrumental role in making it possible to have this program in the first place and we will always remain so. In answer to emails, however, we did want to respond: If you would like the time moved to the later time that it previously had (as many of you have said), please contact the radio station program director.